The Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was extremely rebellious

Chapter 616 The Changing of the Seas
A new era is about to begin in the Far East.

The old and new maritime powers are about to clash in Southeast Asia.

This was also a crucial period for the change of maritime hegemons.

Spain, the former maritime superpower, has declined.

The Netherlands is rising as a new superpower.

Britain and France were also watching closely behind.

At this point, the Ming Dynasty could no longer wait. If it waited any longer, and these colonial powers completed their transition, the Ming Dynasty would face even stronger enemies.

Emperor Wanli decided to take action this year, defeating both the old and new hegemons, so that the Ming Dynasty would become the maritime hegemon.

He allocated provisions for the expedition to Southeast Asia and then turned his attention to the Americas.

The Americas are now able to produce food, but the problem is that they don't produce much; it's just enough to feed their current population.

Another key issue is communication.

If war is to break out in the Americas simultaneously, the communication problem must be solved. Otherwise, it will take at least three or four months, or even half a year, to find out how the fighting is going, which is definitely not acceptable.

Wanli stared at the map for a while, then decisively said, "Yuanjing, it seems you'll have to take charge of the overall situation in the Americas."

This time you'll go with Yunqing and Guozhu to prepare for war; they're also planning an attack in September.

Upon hearing this, Qi Jiguang quickly bowed and said, "I obey your order."

Wanli then pointed to the map and explained in detail: "Before the war in the Americas, the sea routes for communication must be opened up."

The shuttle ships cannot withstand the impact of strong winds and huge waves, so you must build enough ports and docks in the series of islands from Dongyang Dusi to North America Xidusi to allow the shuttle ships to take shelter from sea storms.

Another issue is food supplies. The grain produced there is only enough to feed their people. If we want to send more troops, we must transport enough grain over there.

The issue of provisions is indeed of paramount importance; the more men and horses there are, the more crucial provisions become.

Upon hearing this, Qi Jiguang thought for a moment and then asked, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask, how should these naval ships be allocated?"

The deployment of personnel hasn't even started yet.

Emperor Wanli pondered and said, "I plan to divide the navy into two halves. Yunqing and Guozhu will lead five hundred Fujian warships of two thousand liang each, four hundred Fujian warships of one thousand liang each, and two thousand flying shuttle ships over there."

This strength should be enough to overwhelm the Spanish navy over there.

"Yuan Jing, how many more troops do you think we need to send to the land forces to make it sufficient?"

Are you asking me to decide this?
Qi Jiguang stared at the map for a while, then carefully said, "Your Majesty, I think the current forces on the land front are actually sufficient."

After all, the vassal states over there have been training for two or three years with more than two million troops, and their strength is now about the same as our border troops.

Moreover, we also have the Second Battalion of Divine Machines, numbering 100,000 men, whose strength certainly far surpasses that of the Spanish forces there.

However, considering that the Spanish also possess firearms and artillery, to avoid excessive casualties on their side, I believe it would be best to send some Shenshu Battalion chariots to the front lines for attack.

You can't just take a few soldiers from the Shenshu Camp with you.

The Americas are so far away, it would be too late to mobilize people if problems occurred.

After thinking for a moment, Wanli decisively said, "How about this, I will transfer the Left and Right Divine Pivot Camps to you."

There are also many mountains in Central and Southern America, so you'll need to bring 100,000 Sichuan soldiers with you. Like father, like son; you'll fight alongside your sons. So, take Zuo Guo and his 100,000 Sichuan soldiers with you.”

With so many troops, they definitely won't have enough supplies over there.

Upon hearing this, Qi Jiguang cautiously said, "Your Majesty, in that case, with the addition of the newly added naval soldiers, there will be approximately 300,000 more troops over there. We will need to transport at least 3 million shi of grain over there."

It's already March, and the Fujian warships won't have time to make a turn around after they sail over. With so many people and men, the Fujian warships can only carry a maximum of one million shi of grain.

Two million shi of grain could not be carried by two thousand flying shuttles. Considering the speed, two thousand flying shuttles could only carry a maximum of one million shi of grain.

"We're still short one million shi of grain, Your Majesty. Perhaps I should reduce the number of troops by one hundred thousand?"

How can that work?

The Spanish have muskets and cannons, so we can't let our vassal states' soldiers sacrifice their lives. The real battle will have to be fought by our own troops.

Taking 300,000 troops to attack such a large territory is already a bit insufficient.

Emperor Wanli stared at the map and pondered, "How about this, I order someone to send one million shi of grain to the northernmost port of the Eastern Ocean Commandery."

"The two thousand naval shuttles you brought will definitely be used for relaying messages. You should divide them into two teams of one thousand ships each. Each trip back should carry 500,000 shi of grain; two trips should be enough."

If the Eastern Pacification Commandery has enough food, then there will naturally be no problem.

Upon hearing this, Qi Jiguang nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

There shouldn't be any major problems now. We don't need to consider moving the troops from Southeast Asia for the time being, because Southeast Asia is close to the Ming Dynasty. We can just move the troops to Dongfan Nangang, and it will only take a day or two to get there.

After thinking for a moment, Wanli instructed, "Yuansheng, you shall take the remaining five hundred or so two-thousand-ton Fujian-style warships and four hundred or so one-thousand-ton Fujian-style warships to Liaodong first."

"When the time comes, I will order the soldiers who are going to the Southeast Asia to go there. When the north wind rises, you can lead the soldiers to assemble in the Eastern Barbarian lands."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuansheng quickly bowed and said, "I understand."

Wanli stared at the map carefully for a while, then asked, "Do you think there are any other problems?"

Everyone stared at the map for a while, but no one seemed inclined to speak.

Seeing this, Li Yuansheng cautiously reminded him, "Your Majesty, once the fighting starts, we won't be able to do business with the Spanish."

Currently, most of Wanshengtang's overseas trade is done with the Spanish. They purchase at least 40 million taels of our goods annually.

If these goods can't be sold, Wanshengtang's business will likely be severely affected.

Uh, I was so focused on the war that I forgot about business.

Although he can support so many people without the profits from Wanshengtang, Wanshengtang's business involves the livelihoods of many ordinary people and even artisans.

If Wanshengtang's business declines sharply, many ordinary people and craftsmen working in Wanshengtang's various shops and workshops will likely be left with nothing.

This business can't be turned down, but the question is, how do we do it?

It's definitely not feasible for them to send their ships to Europe to do business right now.

Not only were the Ming Dynasty tens of thousands of miles away from Europe, but they were also unfamiliar with the sea routes. Once they left the South Seas, they had to follow the old map of Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean to explore and find their way. Once they crossed the Western Ocean, they would be completely lost.

More importantly, their current ocean-going vessels are still sailing ships, and they have not yet mastered the information on the monsoons and ocean currents from the West to Europe. It is unknown when they will arrive after traveling tens of thousands of miles.

In this situation, they didn't know how much food or fresh water they needed to bring.

Therefore, it is unrealistic to send ships to Europe to do business now.

Wanli thought about it carefully, then asked, "Yuansheng, do you think the Portuguese can take on this business?"

How do you say this?

Li Yuansheng pondered, "Portugal was once one of the maritime superpowers, and their main influence was along the line from continental Europe to the Western Ocean. They probably won't have much trouble with this business."

The problem is, if we hand over the business to them, they will definitely want a share of the profits.

Your Majesty, this humble general dares to be bold, but we are essentially handing them money!

I'll just send them money, so what?
How much do they dare to ask for?

At most, I'll let them earn a few million taels.

This is roughly a 10% profit margin, nothing serious.

The key is that this business cannot be interrupted.

Wanli shook his head slightly and said, "It's alright. Letting them make a little money is fine. Portugal has already declined. Even if they make a little money, they won't be able to turn things around."

We need to consider the development of Wanshengtang. If this big deal falls through, many of Wanshengtang's workshops will probably have to shut down.

We can't just support the ordinary people and artisans working in those workshops for free; otherwise, Wanshengtang would probably lose money.

Once this battle is over, we will be the new maritime hegemon, and our business will definitely grow even bigger.

If Wanshengtang experiences this setback, it will probably take one or two years to increase production, and we will lose even more money then.

Oh, I was so focused on making money that I didn't consider the Wanshengtang issue.

Upon hearing this, Li Yuansheng nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

If this business is to continue, we need to talk to the Portuguese as soon as possible.

Perhaps, we could also consider using this large transaction to exchange for something.

This money might not even be given away for free.

Wanli examined the map more closely and then asked, "Yuansheng, what was the name of that Portuguese envoy from last time?"

Without hesitation, Li Yuansheng replied, "Your Majesty, the Portuguese envoy who came last time was named De Scella."

Wanli nodded slightly and said, "Yes, De Shera, that guy is quite obedient. Order the navy's fast ships to pick him up. I want to talk to him."

Li Yuansheng quickly bowed and said, "I obey your order."

(End of this chapter)